Electron discharge device



Nov. 24, 1936. A. SAMUEL ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed Nov. 21, 1955 2Sheets-Sheet l FIG! INVEN TOR A .L. SAMUEL Wm 6'. M

A TTO RNEP Patented Nov. 24, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT TelephoneLaboratories,

Incorporated, New

York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 21, 1933,Serial No. 698,948

11 Claims.

This invention relates to electron discharge devices and moreparticularly to such devices adapted for the generation of ultra highfrequency oscillations.

One. object of this invention is to enable the efiicient generation ofelectrical oscillations of extremely low Wave length.

Another object of this invention is to increase the power capacity ofhigh frequency oscillator devices.

In one embodiment of this invention, an electron discharge devicecomprises a cathode, a plurality of electrically separate deflector orcontrol plates or grids disposed about the cathode, and a plurality ofanodes outside of the deflector plates or grids, disposed in spacerelation to one another to provide an unobstructed. electron path inalignment with the cathode and with the spaces between the plates orgrids.

In the operation of such a device when no electrical charge is appliedto the plates or grids or when equal charges are applied to all of theplates or grids, the electrons emitted from the cathode pass outwardlyas a beam 'or beams through the spaces between the anodes. When thecharges upon the plates or grids, are varied periodically the electronbeams are deflected accordingly to impinge alternately upon two adjacentanodes whereby an oscillating current may 1 be established in anodes.

The several electrodes may be disposed in immediate proximity to oneanother so that an extremely small time interval is required for thepassage of electrons from the cathode to the anodes and the device may,therefore, be used efiiciently for the generation of ultra-highfrequency oscillations.

The invention and the various features thereof will be understood moreclearly and fully from the following detailed description with referenceto the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of an electron discharge deviceillustrative of one embodiment of this invention, a portion of theenclosing vesa circuit associated with the 'sel being broken away toshow the internal struc-' ture of the device more clearly;

Fig. 2 is. a diagrammatic end View showing the form and. disposition ofthe electrodes of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of this inventionwith a portion of the anode broken away to show the inner electrodesmore clearly;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic end View of the electrodes of the device shownin Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of thisinvention;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic end view of the elec- 5. trodes of the deviceshown in Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a schematic diagram of an oscillator circuit including anelectron discharge device of the type comprehended by this invention;and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the electrode 10- assembly illustratingpaths of electron travel in electron discharge devices constructed inaccordance with this invention.

Referring now to the drawings, the electron discharge device shown inFig. 1 comprises an 15 enclosing vessel it] having a reentrant stem Hwhich terminates in a press having a plurality of arms l2, 13 arrangedin cross formation. A pair of reversely bent wires or metallic stubs Mare embedded in the arms l3 and each wire 20 or stub has secured theretoan upright wire or rod l5. Extending between and supported by the freeends of the wires or rods I5 is a cathode it, which may, for example, bea single, linear filament of tungsten. The heating current for 5 thecathode may be supplied through leading-in conductors l'l within thestem Ill and connected to the wires or stubs it.

A rigid wire or rod H3 is embedded in each of the arms l3 and each wireor rod supports 0 a U-shaped metallic member E9, to the arms of which animperforate, flat plate 20 is secured. The plates 20, which constitutethe deflector or control electrodes or grids, are positioned on oppositesides of the cathode l6 and are dis- 35 posed parallel to each other andto the cathode. Electrical connection may be established with the plates20 by leading-in conductors 2! within the stem It and connected to thewires or rods I8.

An arcuate, semi-cylindrical anode 22 is disposed adjacent each of theplates 20 and substantially coaxial with the cathode Hi, the anodesbeing spaced to provide openings 23 forming an unimpeded electron pathin line with the cath- 45 ode l6, and having edge portions overlying theplates 26. Each of the anodes comprises two arcuate portions havinglongitudinal flanges 24 which are secured together in face-to-facerelation, as by welding, with reinforcing rods 25 and 50 L-shapedmetallic members or wires 26. The metallic members or wires 26 aresecured to upright wires or supports 2? embedded in the arms 12 andconnected to leading-in conductors 28 within the stem ll.

The cathode l6, plates 20, and anodes 22 are preferably positioned asclose together as is mechanically and electrically feasible, and may beconnected in an oscillatory circuit as illustrated schematically in Fig.7. As shown in this figure, the plates 20, which constitute deflector orcontrol electrodes, are connected to opposite ends of an inductance L1which is shunted by condenser C1, and the anodes 22 are connected toopposite ends of an inductance L2 which is shunted by a condenser C2. Asuitable potential may be applied to the plates 20 from a battery orequivalent source E1 through an inductance L3 connected to the midpointof the inductance L1. Similarly a suitable potential may be applied tothe anodes 22 from a suitable source such as a battery E2 through aninductance L4 connected to the midpoint of the inductance L2. Suitablevalues for the potentials and for the condensers and inductances may bedetermined in ways well known to those skilled in the art.

If the device is utilized for the generation of ultra-high frequencyoscillations, for example, frequencies corresponding to wave lengths ofthe order of one meter, the interelectrode capacities, shown in dottedoutline and designated as C3 and C4, may be of suflicient magnitude toallow omission of the condensers C1 and C2. In this case, theinductances L1 and L2 may comprise merely short-circuiting bars acrossthe conductors connected to the terminals of the control plates andanodes.

In another embodiment of this invention, shown in Figs. 3 and 4, thecontrol or deflector electrode comprises a plurality of L-shaped rods01' wires 29 having elongated parallel arms, the rods or wires beingelectrically connected in two groups by rigid, metallic conductors 3Gsealed in a side wall of the enclosing vessel 3|. The rods 29 arearranged in a circular boundary around the cathode as shown in Fig. 4. Acathode 32, which may be a linear filament of tungsten, is disposedparallel to the elongated arms of the wires 29 and is preferably equallyspaced from the Wires. The cathode is supported at one end by a rigidmetallic rod 33 embedded in a stem 34, and at the other end by aresilient J-shaped metallic member 35 secured to one end of a wire stub36 embedded in the stem 34. The heating current for the cathode 32 maybe supplied through leading-in conductors 31 connected to the rod 33 andto the wire stub 36.

Two semi-cylindrical anodes 38 having flanges 39 reinforced by rods 40,are supported by rigid rods or wires 4| secured to the flanges andsealed in one end of the enclosing vessel as shown at 42, and overliethe outermost of the wires 29. The anodes 38 are preferably disposedsubstantially coaxially with the cathode 32 and are spaced to formopenings 43 in alignment with the cathode and with the spaces betweenthe two groups of the wires 29 as illustrated in Fig. 4.

The electrodes of the device shown in Figs. 3 and 4 may be associated inan oscillatory circuit as illustrated schematically in Fig. '7 and asset forth in the description of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In another embodiment of this invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6, anelectron discharge device comprises an enclosing vessel 3! having a stem34. A cathode 32, which may be a linear filament of tungsten, is securedat one end to a rigid bent rod 33 sealed in the stem 34, and is securedat its other end to a bent resilient member or spring 35 attached to awire stub 36 sealed'in the stem.

The rod 33 and stub 36, and hence the cathode, may be associated with anelectrical circuit through leading-in conductors 31.

The control or deflector electrode comprises a plurality of rigid wires44 which are electrically connected in two groups and are supported byrigid metallic rods or wires 30 sealed in a side wall of the vessel 3 I.The wires 44 are preferably disposed parallel to each other and to thecathode 32, and preferably are equally spaced from the cathode.

A plurality of arcuate anodes 45, one for each of the control electrodeWires 44, is supported on rigid wires or rods 46 which are secured toflanges 41 on the anodes and are sealed in one end of the enclosingvessel as shown at 48. The anodes are disposed preferably coaxially withthe cathode 32 and are spaced from each other to form two sets ofopenings 49 and 59 in alignment with the cathode and with the spacesbetween the wires 44. The anodes are preferably disposed also, asillustrated in Fig. 6, so that the flanged edges are substantially inradial alignment with the corresponding wires 44 of the grid or controlelectrode. Inasmuch as the surfaces of the anodes 45 are relativelysmall, the interelectrode capacities are correspondingly small so thatthe device may be used for the generation of exceedingly high frequencyoscillations, for example, frequencies corresponding to wave lengths ofless than one meter.

The anodes 45 are preferably coupled together electrically in two pairsby tie wires 5|. Preferably the anodes adjacent and corresponding to theinternally coupled Wires 44 are coupled toether.

In the operation of the devices described, the

rids or control electrodes may have a negative bias thereon and theanodes may be at a positive potential. Normally, therefore, the fieldsacting upon the electrons emitted from the oathode are in equilibriumand the major portion of the electrons flow outwardly as beams in twodirections along the line A, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8, andpass through the openings between the anodes. When the charges upon thesections of the control electrode are varied, for example, if the chargeon one section of the control electrode is increased and the charge uponthe other section is decreased periodically, the electron beams aredeflected accordingly, first, toward one of the anodes, for example,along paths BB, and then toward the other anode, for example, alongpaths D-D, so that an oscillating current is produced in the externalcircuit associated with the anodes. Inasmuch as the electrodes of thedevice are closely spaced, the time interval required for the deflectionof electrons between the two anodes is exceedingly small so thatultra-high frequency oscillations may be established.

If desired, in each of the devices described hereinabove, barrierelectrodes, which may take the form of plates 52 as illustrated in Fig.8, may be positioned adjacent the openings between the anodes to receiveelectrons which may pass through the openings. The barrier electrodes 52may be connected together electrically and to the midpoint of theinductance L2.

Although a number of specific embodiments of the invention have beenshown and described, it will be understood, of course, thatmodifications may be made therein without departing from the scope andspirit of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electron discharge device comprising a cathode, an even number ofspaced electrically separate control electrodes adjacent and on oppositesides of said cathode, and an equal number of anodes outside of saidcontrol electrodes, disposed one adjacent each control electrode andhaving portions in alignment therewith and with said cathode, saidanodes being adjacent but spaced from each other to form an opening inalignment with said cathode and with the space between said controlelectrodes and having other portions lying in planes passing throughsaid cathode but not through said control electrodes.

2. An electron discharge device comprising a cathode, a controlelectrode having a plurality of spaced elements disposed about saidcathode, means electrically connecting said elements into two groupsdisposed on opposite sides of said cathode, and a plurality of anodesequal in number to said elements encompassing said cathode andpositioned one adjacent said elements, said anodes having portions inplanes passing through said cathode and remote from said elements, andsaid anodes being spaced to form an opening in alignment with saidcathode and out of align ment with said elements.

3. An electron discharge device comprising a cathode, a plurality ofspaced imperforate plates disposed on opposite sides of said cathode,and a plurality of spaced anodes disposed one outside of each of saidplates, said anodes being disposed on opposite sides of said cathode andhaving portions overlying edges of said plates and disposed in alignmentwith said cathode, and said portions being spaced to form openings outof alignment with said plates.

4. An electron discharge device comprising a linear cathode, a pair offlat imperforate plates on opposite sides of said cathode and parallelthereto and to each other, and a pair of arcuate anodes coaxial withsaid cathode and disposed one adjacent each of said plates, said anodehaving spaced edge portions overlying edges of said plates and inalignment with said cathode.

5. An electron discharge device comprising a cathode, a plurality ofwires disposed about said cathode and in two boundaries on oppositesides of said cathode, means electrically connecting the wires in eachboundary, and a plurality of anodes adjacent said wires, said anodesbeing spaced to provide an opening the sides of which lie in planespassing through said cathode and remote from said wires.

6. An electron discharge device comprising a cathode, a plurality ofwires disposed about said cathode, means electrically connecting saidwires in two groups on opposite sides of said cathode, and a pluralityof anodes having portions overlying the outermost wires of each of saidgroups, said anodes being spaced to form openings opposite sides ofwhich are in alignment with said cathode and out of alignment with saidwires.

'7. An electron discharge device comprising a linear cathode, a pair ofelectrically separate control electrodes on opposite sides of saidcathode, each of said control electrodes including a plurality ofelectrically connected wires disposed parallel to each other and to saidcathode, and a pair of arcuate anodes coaxial with said cathode anddisposed one outside of each of said control electrodes, said anodeshaving portions overlying the outermost of said wires providing anunimpeded electron path from said cathode, said portions being spaced toform openings the sides of which are in alignment with said cathode andout of alignment with said wires.

8. An electron discharge device comprising a cathode, a plurality ofwires disposed about said cathode, a plurality of anodes disposed oneadjacent each of said wires and having portions overlying said wires,means electrically connecting said wires on opposite sides of saidcathode in two groups, and means electrically connecting thecorresponding anodes in two groups.

9. An electron discharge device comprising a linear cathode, a pluralityof wires disposed about said cathode and parallel to each other and tosaid cathode, a plurality of arcuate anodes disposed one adjacent eachof said wires, said anodes overlying said wires to provide unimpededelectron paths from said cathode and being spaced to form openings inalignment with said cathode.

10. An electron discharge device in accordance with claim 8 comprisingmeans electrically connecting the wires into a plurality of groups, andmeans electrically connecting the corresponding anodes into an equalnumber of groups.

11. An electron discharge device comprising an enclosing vessel having astem at one end, a linear cathode supported on said stem and extendinglongitudinally of said vessel, a plurality of metallic supports sealedin and extending from the opposite end of said vessel, a plurality ofanodes carried by said supports and disposed parallel to and about saidcathode, a plurality of metallic members sealed in and extending from aside wall of said vessel adjacent said opposite end, and a plurality ofwires defining electrode elements depending from each of said metallicmembers, disposed parallel to each other and to said cathode and aboutsaid cathode.

ARTHUR L. SAMUEL.

